Computer group Apple Latest News about Apple has dropped law firm Linklaters from an ongoing legal battle with the Beatles' record label Apple Corp over the use of the Apple name to sell music-related products. The latest installment in a long-running series of legal scraps between the two sides had been due to go back before the courts in London this autumn.

However, it now looks likely to be delayed as Apple Computers' new legal representative, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, gets to grips with its new case. It is believed that Apple Computer decided to switch legal teams after Linklaters raised the possibility of a settlement said in legal circles to be close to US$35.65 million, far higher than Apple Computer's expectations.